Geldof: Lisbon is our democratic responsibility

BOB GELDOF last night said the upcoming Lisbon treaty referendum was “an amazing democratic responsibility” for Ireland as no other EU country was being allowed to vote on it.

The musician and activist advised Irish voters to make their decision with an eye on Europe. Speaking in Dublin Mr Geldof said both pro and anti arguments on the treaty were valid and he would like to sit down in a pub and argue them out.

“Ireland is having this debate for Europe because no one else is being allowed to vote on it.”

Mr Geldof criticised Gordon Browne’s administration for failing to put the treaty before the British public. Clarifying the treaty was an important step for the Irish people, he said.

“The referendum is valid when the people understand what it is they are voting on,” he said.

“You should vote for what Ireland thinks with an eye on it being good for Europe, for the other people... it’s an amazing democratic responsibility.”

Mr Geldof said he was looking forward to working with the new Taoiseach Brian Cowen in relation to Africa. Mr Cowen seemed to “genuinely reflect what Irish people have been saying for a long time”, about the country’s commitment to aid.

Ireland’s commitment to spending 0.7%t of GDP on foreign aid had given it authority in Europe, he told reporters.

However, Mr Geldof was critical of several countries including France, Italy and Germany for renege on their commitment to foreign aid, particularly their promises made at Gleneagles in Scotland in 2006.

The Live Aid organiser said he wanted Ireland to gather together the smaller countries like Portugal, Spain and Holland to confront larger countries about their contributions to foreign aid.

“And just say, ‘we are concerned about this, and we are not going to be dictated by your France, your Germanys and your Englands, f**k you, you know we’re meeting our responsibility big time more than you guys’.”

Mr Cowen should lead this charge against the bigger countries and he would be backed by Ireland’s record on aid, he said: “I would like him to lead that and he’s got all the right to do that.”

Ahead of an address to the Irish League of Credit Unions at their 50th anniversary, Mr Geldof spoke candidly about aid, politics and even briefly mentioned his rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle.

The former Blackrock College student also had words of praise for fellow Dubliner, and former taoiseach, Bertie Ahern.

Mr Ahern had been “an historical taoiseach” and “had negotiated Ireland into wealth”.

Contrary to reports, both men had not discussed Mr Ahern’s possible role as international aid campaigner: “If he ever did want to do anything in this area, he doesn’t need me or Bono to help him, he would be way ahead of us, he would have a shoe in for whatever he wanted to do in that area, should he so wish.”